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 establishment of temporary MRLs prevents disruption of
trade this year and ensures a steady, current supply of
exports to European consumers. Primacy ALPHA features
two patented Verdesian technologies and is specifically
designed
as
an
alternative
to
phosphite-based
nutritionals. It delivers similar crop efficacy as
conventional phosphite products but without the risk of
exceeding EU-designated MRLs. Our phosphite-based
nutritional products continue to be widely used by growers
on other crops not effected by the EU issue. Primacy™ is a
newly created brand for Verdesian, and Primacy ALPHA is
the first premier product offered under the new brand
family. There will be other Primacy products coming.
Verdesian has acquired several companies with a
focus on the seed treatment sector, including INTX
Microbials, and has subsequently launched new
products into this market. Do you view seed
treatment as key to future sales growth?
Absolutely. Seed-treatment products will continue to
represent a big part of our product focus. Focusing on the
seed generates a healthier plant right from the start. With
our seed treatment products, we make the already
existing genes in seeds work to their full potential, and
we’ve developed technology, through biology and
chemistry, that gives ordinary plants a scientific edge.
Two good examples are our new Take Off® ST for corn,
soybeans, winter wheat and other crops and Preside™ CL
seed treatment for soybeans. Take Off is a crop nutrient
assimilator that mimics a natural plant metabolite
common in all crops and accelerates nutrient acquisition,
assimilation and use of efficiency of applied nitrogen.
Preside CL increases soybean nodulation and helps bring
more nitrogen into the plant.
The geographical focus of Verdesian is clearly North
America, but you do have a European presence
through the acquisition of Plant Syence and
formation of Verdesian Life Sciences Europe in
2013. Do have goals to expand further outside the
U.S.? What geographies are highest in priority for
future growth?
Verdesian is not only committed to the North American
market, but also to Europe through Verdesian Life
Sciences Europe Limited. We are also focused on Central
and South America markets as well, and we have a
growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region. We conduct
product research in all of these areas, as well as work with
local farmers. Our recent commercial agreement in Latin
America will bring the Verdesian patented polymer
technology to farmers in Nicaragua, Panama and Costa
Rica. Farmers around the world need the products and
technologies that Verdesian offers if we are to feed nine
billion people by 2050.
Many of the startup biological agriculture companies
struggle to achieve adequate market access to
effectively
commercialize
their
technologies.
Verdesian appears to have handled this challenge
with ease. What is your secret?
The secret for us is that our technologies work. We are
also fortunate to have an extensive and highly respected
network of agricultural distributors and retailers that
farmers turn to and trust for the best advice, products and
technologies. We work closely with all our retailers and
distributors in order to put out trials, test our products
and demonstrate to them and their farmer-customers that
our products work.
June 2015 Consolidation has definitely been
a driving force within the
biological agriculture space over
the last few years. We’ve seen a
range of exit strategies executed, including
acquisitions by global crop protection businesses,
mergers with other biological companies and IPOs
with varying degrees of success. Does Verdesian
have a preferred exit path?
There is no doubt that the consolidation within the
agricultural marketplace will continue. Verdesian will keep
its focus on providing technologies that work and give a
good return on investment for farmers by increasing crop
yields and minimizing the environmental impact of
agriculture. It’s the farmer that has to be successful, and
we plan to furnish the tools they need to be successful.
New Products BIOCONTROL
B
ollcure is a plant extract-based botanical
biopesticide that has been developed by TERI.
Bollcure is an environment-friendly approach to enhance
crop productivity in a sustainable manner by keeping
insect pests at bay. Bollcure is made from eucalyptus
leaves extract, which makes it safer for use and is
biodegradable. The product has been tested extensively
for its usefulness against Helicoverpa armigera (cotton
bollworm) in cotton and chickpea at different Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes and
agricultural universities in India and abroad.
B
iofeed Ltd. has developed an innovative 'green'
solution that provides year-round, continuous
and effective pest control. Biofeed's patented Slow Fluid
Release (SFR) technology takes advantage of gravity, in
comparison to the common evaporation principle of most
common attraction devices, and is thus very stable. Using
the SFR delivery system the rate of liquid release is well
controllable in the range of 0.1–1.0 gram per day. Biofeed
recently launched its first 2 formulae solutions for
continuous bioactivity over a period of one year. This
series of products for the control of the Mediterranean
fruit fly and the Olive fruit fly is branded 'Biofeed 365'.
BIOSTIMULANTS
B
ioWorks, Inc. launched ON-Gard, a new organic
fertilizer and biostimulant. ON-Gard is a 100%
plant-derived product with organic nitrogen and vegetal
amino acids that increases stress tolerance, increases
plant, crop, and turf growth, and enhances nutrient
uptake and overall absorption. It is rapidly absorbed by
leaves and roots and transferred throughout the plant.
ON-Gard can be applied as a foliar spray, root drench, or
root dip. It is suitable for use on all plants. Plants respond
well to ON-Gard applications at key nutrient demand
periods such as seed germination, bloom, fruit
development, and sugar assimilation. “We are excited to
be offering another innovative, organic product to our
growing portfolio,” said Joe Gionta, director of marketing
and sales. “While formidable on its own, ON-Gard can also
improve the uptake and efficacy of our other products
such as RootShield and RootShield Plus.”
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